Second candidate still interested in regional ambulance boss job

SOUTH DEERFIELD — The second finalist for the South County Emergency Medical Service director position says he is still interested in the job after the first candidate turned down the job.

“Yes, I’m absolutely still interested in the job,” said Zachary Smith of South Deerfield. “Even with this development, I’m still very excited and optimistic about what this department can become.”

The Board of Oversight had initially offered the job to William Travis of Leyden, a former general manager of Baystate Health Ambulance, but Travis unexpectedly turned down the offer on Sunday, citing personal reasons. Travis works as a paramedic with Action Ambulance Service of Pittsfield and Village Ambulance Service of Williamstown.

The board had interviewed Smith and Travis for the position.

Having worked in Deerfield for more than a decade, Smith said he “would have happily worked for Bill Travis” despite not being selected.

Smith is a paramedic and 13-year veteran of Deerfield’s ambulance service and a Sunderland police officer.

Board member and Sunderland Fire Chief Robert Ahearn said the board hasn’t decided if it will offer the job to Smith or conduct another search. It will discuss its options on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Sunderland Public Safety complex.